Read Online Slocum 420 by Jake Logan - Free Book Online

dead body.”
    â€œNo thanks,” Slocum said.
    â€œExactly. I’m glad to see you.” Examining the layer of sawdust covering his shirt, she said, “I see you’re still working at the mill. Was it awkward being there with Lester after all that happened?”
    â€œHe didn’t show up.”
    â€œHmm. Imagine that. Must’ve crawled back under a rock somewhere.”
    Slocum turned to lean sideways against the bar. That way, he could take a good, long look at the woman who’d decided to join him. Eliza wore a black dress with hints of white lace in the skirt and sleeves. Though the collar buttoned all the way to her neck, there was still plenty to catch his eye. Even if she’d been wrapped in a burlap sack, he still would have noticed the slopes of her large breasts and inviting curves of her rounded hips. For the moment, though, the most captivating thing about her was the smile that positively beamed as she looked at him.
    â€œYou seem to be doing much better than the last time I saw you,” he said. “I’m glad to see it.”
    â€œFunny what a good night’s sleep in your own bed can do. My life may not have been in danger, but I do owe you my thanks.”
    â€œNo you don’t,” Slocum said. “As I told you before, I was coming after Lester no matter what. He got what was coming to him, and if you happened to benefit a little along the way . . . so be it.”
    â€œHere, here!”
    Slocum took another drink and then said, “Remind me again . . . how did you benefit exactly? Because if he did hurt you or was about to and you didn’t tell me, then I’d like to have another word with Mr. Quint.”
    â€œI told you all there was to tell,” she assured him. “The more I thought about how that man lied to me to get what he wanted, the angrier I got. What I got out of you busting into that room was getting to watch as he was taken down a peg or two by having the tar beaten out of him. There are plenty of men like Lester around, and it’s a rare thing for a woman to see that kind of justice done.”
    â€œWell then, I’m glad I could oblige. You need anyone else like Lester to be taught a lesson, you just let me know. I’ll do damn near anything for free liquor.”
    She laughed and ran her fingers through her hair while brushing her fingertips lightly against one ear. As he watched her, Slocum couldn’t help noticing just how smooth the nape of her neck was and how enticing the two little beads of sweat were as they rolled down her neck on their way beneath the front of her dress.
    â€œI just thought of something,” he said.
    â€œWhat’s that?”
    â€œYou were in that room under false pretenses with Lester.”
    â€œYes,” she replied. “But we established that a while ago.”
    â€œWe did, but that’s when I was preoccupied with the business that brought me to the Tall Pine. There’s still the business that brought you to the Tall Pine that night.”
    Eliza winced and turned slightly away from Slocum. Because of the paleness of her skin, even the slightest flush in her cheeks was easy to spot. With the amount she was blushing at the moment, however, Slocum would have been able to spot it if her skin was as dark as a Cherokee squaw’s.
    â€œYou know all too well what I was doing there,” she said in a low voice.
    â€œThat’s right, I do,” Slocum replied. “You were there to share a bed with John Slocum.”
    â€œPlease don’t embarrass me.”
    As much as Slocum wanted to continue, if only to see how red her face could get, he grinned and said, “All right. I’ll ease up.”
    â€œThank you.”
    â€œBut you’ll have to do something for me.”
    â€œDon’t forget the free drink,” she reminded him.
    He lifted the mug, toasted her, and took another long pull of the adequate brew.